Happy to be back

Garciaparra wants 1-year deal to be just the beginning

Nomar Garciaparra turned down a multiyear offer from the Anaheim Angels on Tuesday to stay with the Cubs, saying he hoped to turn a one-year deal into a "long-term relationship."

The veteran shortstop signed a one-year, $8 million deal with $3 million additional in incentives based on games played after Cubs general manager Jim Hendry made a visit to his Southern California home to give a final sales pitch to him and his wife, soccer star Mia Hamm. A former head coach at Creighton, Hendry still knows how to recruit, and it left an impression on the couple.

"It was huge," Garciaparra said. "It's not only what he has done, but the way I was treated fairly last year. It says a lot about the organization."

Hendry later sealed up his double-play combination by agreeing to terms with Todd Walker, signing the left-handed-hitting second baseman to a one-year, $2.5 million deal with a mutual option for 2006. If Walker reaches a set number of plate appearances in '05, the option vests at between $2.5 and $2.7 million. If he doesn't, the Cubs hold a $2.5 million option.

"I feel, basically, it's a two-year deal," Walker said. "I'm going to be a starter and play well enough to get my at-bats."

Just before the arbitration deadline, Hendry signed Minnesota catcher Henry Blanco to a two-year, $2.7 million deal and opted not to offer arbitration to catcher Paul Bako. Blanco, a defensive specialist who threw out 44 percent of attempted baserunners last year and finished second in the American League Gold Glove Award voting, was formerly Greg Maddux's personal catcher in Atlanta. He will earn $1.2 million in 2005 and $1.5 million in 2006.

As for Walker, Texas offered two guaranteed years and slightly more money.

"In my gut, I was scared they were going to give me what I wanted," Walker admitted.

But the Rangers rejected Walker's final demand, sealing the return to the place he wanted to be all along.

The Cubs always were interested in re-signing the 31-year-old Garciaparra, though few believed he would turn down an opportunity to play near his hometown. But Garciaparra mentioned a "promise" he had made to catcher Michael Barrett when he asked to wear Barrett's No. 5. Barrett told him he wouldn't give it up unless Garciaparra was serious about coming back.

"I know we have a great chance of winning, and winning the whole thing," Garciaparra said.

With Anaheim having the "home-field" advantage for Garciaparra, Hendry had to assure him the Cubs considered him part of their future, in spite of a one-year commitment because of injury problems that forced him to miss 81 games in '04.

Garciaparra reportedly was offered a four-year, $60 million deal last winter to stay in Boston, though he steadfastly has denied turning it down. He said he was pulling for his former team in the World Series and now hopes to help the Cubs end their own championship drought, as the Red Sox did in convincing fashion.

"I was part of reversing something over there," Garciaparra said. "It was there for so long, and I was a part of that, and I know that. And here I am with another great organization and I want to be part of that [championship] as well."

Walker's return was considered iffy because manager Dusty Baker values defense so highly. Walker is regarded average defensively, particularly on the double play. Hendry said Walker "played a lot better defense than advertised" in 2004.

Walker promised he and Garciaparra would be more vocal in the clubhouse next year, and took a shot at the former Cubs broadcasters, saying: "We have a good group of guys, though Steve Stone and Chip Caray may not say that."

If Sammy Sosa returns, Walker says, the players will hold a meeting the first day of spring training to "air everything out." He expects Sosa to apologize for leaving the ballpark on the final day of the season, though he's not asking for one.

"I think Sammy will step forward and do it," he said. "Half the team probably does [feel an apology is necessary], and half the team probably doesn't."

Hendry repeated he was "assuming Sammy will be our right fielder," though sources said the Cubs will attempt to deal him. As expected, the Cubs declined to re-sign or offer arbitration to Moises Alou, hoping to get younger and more athletic in the outfield.

"It was time to move in a different direction," Hendry said.

The Cubs offered arbitration to Matt Clement and Todd Hollandsworth, hoping to re-sign Hollandsworth. Clement is fielding several multiyear offers and is not expected to accept arbitration. Besides Alou and Bako, the Cubs also declined to offer arbitration to Kent Mercker, Mark Grudzielanek, Ben Grieve, Tom Goodwin and Ramon Martinez.